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Join our sought-after Design Management Trainee Programme, you’ll gain hands-on experience collaborating with a wide range of professionals, including architects, engineers, quantity surveyors, and sub-contractors. You’ll be involved in reviewing and analysing information to streamline projects, ensuring cost-effectiveness and best practices throughout. This programme will give you exposure to the full project life cycle, helping you understand how everything fits together.

Using the knowledge and skills you’ve learnt on the programme, you’ll:

  • Manage the design processes to reduce risk and maximise project outcomes.
  • Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, designers, subcontractors, and suppliers.
  • Ensure compliance with contracts related to project progress, design responsibilities and sub-contractor obligations.
  • Provide design updates and reports to managers while supporting the preparation of consultant performance reports.
  • Collaborate with internal and external teams to review design data, check for technical completeness and identify potential risks or issues.
  • Gather vital information and engage with networks to build your expertise in design management.

About you

To be successful on the programme you’ll:

  • Be passionate about a career in the built environment.
  • Be excited to learn and develop new skills.
  • Have a curious nature.
  • Be reliable and professional.
  • A problem solver with the ability to think logically.
  • Possess good time management skills.
  • Prioritise your work to meet agreed deadlines.

Eligibility

To join our Trainee Management Programme via the Graduate route, you will have a motivation to learn and develop within the industry and you’ll have obtained or be working towards a 2:2 degree in any subject area.  Roles in Birmingham and East London (Havering) require Cognate Degree.

In some instances, you will be required to have a full UK driving license Guildford, Leeds, Birmingham and Warrington. There are two roles in Central London, one of which requires a license.

All roles will be based in a specific location, but our projects are geographically widespread. Where the role requires extensive/consistent travel, the company will fully fund the expense.

For our role in Leeds, you will be required to travel to and from projects across Yorkshire and the North East. For Central London and Warrington, you will be based from a specific office location for the majority of the week but will be required to travel to and between multiple project locations nationally as and when required. 

What's in it for you?

Our Trainee Management Programme offers placement opportunities across various departments, technical and behavioural development, including support through relevant qualifications and a host of additional benefits. We provide the foundation skills, knowledge and experience you’ll need to build a long-term, successful career.

In addition, we offer

  • Mentoring, support, and training by industry experts.
  • Structured learning plan (a combination of technical and behavioural development).
  • Competitive salary.
  • Private medical insurance.
  • Car allowance / company car scheme.
  • Health & wellness programme.
  • 26 days holiday + bank holidays.

About Wates

Wates is the UK’s leading family-owned development, building and property maintenance company. Founded in 1897, we’re experts when it comes to the built environment.

Today, we deliver complex projects in several sectors. For example, education, healthcare, residential. commercial, and emergency services. We employ over 4,500 employees who work with a range of clients and partners from across the public and private sectors.

Our divisions include Wates Construction, Wates Developments, Wates Property Services and Wates Residential. We also have specialist engineering and offsite manufacturing, and flexible workspaces businesses. As part of our Trainee Management Programme, you will be working for any one of these exciting divisions.

As one Wates, we work together to build a better tomorrow. We want to create a future where people, places, and our planet can thrive.

We have nearly 200 talented Trainees currently completing our Trainee Management Programme, providing amazing opportunities to build a network, collaborate and share learning with your peers. Kickstart your journey and apply now!